New Jersey sees its share of highway traffic from Memorial Day to Labor Day. More traffic means more car accidents. Fortunately, you can take steps to help avoid a summertime car accident. Consider taking the following safety precautions.
Get a Tune-Up Before Long Road Trips
Whether you intend to spend a three-day weekend in a neighboring state or plan to drive across the country, take your car to a mechanic. A tune-up will reveal anything that may be wrong with your vehicle. Plus, it will give you peace of mind knowing that you have all your fluids topped off and tires properly inflated.
Have Bottles of Water in Your Trunk
Having extra water on hand may seem unnecessary, but it can make a huge difference if you are stuck somewhere remote for hours. If you travel with pets, put an extra travel bowl in your car so they can drink too. Remember that water can be useful for cooling off.
Update Your First Aid Kit
Every car needs to have a first aid kit year-round. However, in the summer, you want your first aid kit to include a few specific items. These include insect repellant and lotion to soothe skin irritated by sunburns and bug bites. You may even want to take over-the-counter and prescription medicines designed to reduce reactions to bee stings, pollen, and other allergens.
Update Your Emergency Kit
When was the last time you checked to ensure your jumper cables were not frayed? Is your flashlight still working? Your emergency kit items can become jostled around, broken, or lost. Spend 15 minutes going through your kit so you know if you need to replace, repair, or update any items.
Examine Your Spare Tire
Never assume that your spare tire is in working order. Take it out and evaluate it. If you are unsure what to look for, ask someone who knows. You may also want to learn how to put a spare tire on your vehicle.
Install New Wiper Blades
Out of all the equipment, wiper blades get a lot of use. Rather than running into an emergency in a heavy summer shower, test your wiper blades beforehand. They should be intact and should not leave smears. When in doubt, buy replacements. Also, fill up your windshield wiper fluid.
Test Your AC
You never know how much you rely on your car’s air conditioning until it stops working. During the next hot day, briefly sit in the car. Turn up the air conditioning and evaluate all the vents. Is cool air blowing? Are all the vents working appropriately? A comfortable car interior allows you to feel less distracted while driving.
The more you plan, the simpler it will be to make every trip more successful. Unfortunately, other drivers are not always as conscientious. If you are injured in an accident, consulting a lawyer about your legal rights is advisable.
Atlantic City Car Accident Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Work With Clients Injured in Summertime Collisions
Have you been hurt in a summertime crash? If so, our Atlantic City car accident lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm are available to talk about your potential case. Call us at 609-926-3300 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury.